Mangano Retains Fiscal Experts To Assist In Developing Long-Term Solutions For Nassau's Budget

Former NYC Budget Director and Chief Fiscal Advisor to NYS Senate and former Senate Communications Director to advise on County Finances

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today that Abe Lackman, former New York City (NYC) Budget Director under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Finance Secretary for the New York State Senate, along with John McArdle, long-time Communications Director for the State Senate, have been retained by the County to advise on the 2012 Budget and Multi-Year Fiscal Plans.

“I look forward to Abe Lackman’s suggestions to improve Nassau’s fiscal health,” said County Executive Mangano. “Abe Lackman will assist the County in reducing the size of government and protecting taxpayers from an increase in property taxes.”

Lackman, who was NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani's first Budget Director,helpedclose a $2 billion budget deficit without raising taxes in Guiliani's first year in office. As Finance Secretary for the Senate, Lackman worked closely with incoming Governor George Pataki's administrationto close multi-billion dollar budget deficits through fiscal restraints that did not involve tax increases. Lackman will work closely with Deputy County Executive Tim Sullivan and County budget officials to develop the 2012 Budget and 2012-2015 Multi-Year Fiscal Plans which must be submitted by September 15, 2011.

“We look forward to working with County Executive Mangano and his team with the difficult challenges ahead. There no doubt will be tough choices but we believe the challenges can be met inrealistic ways that maintain this administration's commitment to fiscal austerity that continues to hold the line on taxes,” saidLackman and McArdle.

Since taking office, County Executive Mangano has focused on reducing the size of government, consolidating operations and reining in spending. Facing the largest deficit in Nassau’s history in 2011, Mangano developed a budget that cut over $171 million in wasteful spending, reduced the County workforce to the lowest level since the 1950’s, consolidated functions and protected homeowners and employers by eliminating a 16.5 percent property tax increase planned by the prior administration. The County continues to face fiscal challenges due to the long-term labor contracts and unfunded mandates that burden taxpayers.